net_peerCount - Ethereum
The net_peerCount method is part of the Ethereum JSON-RPC Core API and returns the number of peers connected to the Ethereum client. It provides a hexadecimal response.
The net_peerCount method returns the number of peers currently connected to the Ethereum client.
The net_peerCount method is part of the Ethereum JSON RPC Core API, used to retrieve the number of peers currently connected to the Ethereum client. This method provides a hexadecimal response representing the peer count, which is essential for monitoring the health and connectivity of the client.
Supported Networks
The net_peerCount RPC Ethereum method supports the following network types:
Mainnet
Testnet: Sepolia, Holesky
Parameters
Request
URL (API Endpoint)
https://go.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/
To make a request, send a JSON object with the jsonrpc, method, and params fields. Below is an example of how to make a request using curl:
curl --location --request POST 'https://go.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "net_peerCount",
"params": [],
"id": "getblock.io"
}'
Response
The server responds with a JSON object containing the current peer count. Below is an example of a typical response:
{
"id": "getblock.io",
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"result": "0x10"
}
Response Description
result: A hexadecimal value representing the number of peers currently connected to the client.
Use Case
The net_peerCount method is particularly useful for developers and system administrators who need to monitor the network connectivity of their Ethereum node. A high peer count indicates good connectivity, while a low or zero count may suggest issues with the node’s network configuration. In case of a net_peerCount error, ensure that the client is properly configured to connect to peers. An example of correct usage is provided in this documentation under the net_peerCount example.A low peer count may also delay transaction propagation, affecting performance.
Code Example
You can also make requests to the net_peerCount method programmatically using Python. Below is an example using the requests library:
import requests
import json
# Define the API URL and access token
url = 'https://go.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/'
headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
# Prepare the request data
data = {
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "net_peerCount",
"params": [],
"id": "getblock.io"
}
# Send the POST request
response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, data=json.dumps(data))
# Parse the JSON response
response_data = response.json()
# Print the result
print(json.dumps(response_data, indent=4))
This Python script sends a request to the net_peerCount method and prints the returned peer count. Make sure to replace <ACCESS-TOKEN> with your actual API token. The Web3 net_peerCount method is also available in Web3 libraries for Ethereum, providing a convenient interface for developers to monitor peer connectivity.
The Ethereum net_peerCount method is a key tool for assessing the network connectivity of an Ethereum client. By providing the number of connected peers, this method helps ensure that the client is fully operational and well-connected. This functionality is a vital part of the Ethereum JSON RPC API and Core API Endpoints.
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